Sports Update » Carter Burgesshttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate
Blogging special sports events and storiesMon, 03 Aug 2015 00:20:21 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2Rice fall baseball preview: Infieldhttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2011/09/rice-fall-baseball-preview-infield/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2011/09/rice-fall-baseball-preview-infield/#commentsThu, 22 Sep 2011 21:44:28 +0000http://blog.chron.com/owls/?p=3966
While the left side of the infield returns intact, the Owls will see some changes on the right side as fall baseball practice begins Monday.]]>A look at the Owls entering the start of fall baseball on Monday:

Chargois started all 63 games at first base last season, hitting .299 with two home runs and 31 RBI. Chargois is expected to assume a bigger role in the backend of the bullpen, which could open the door for one of the other candidates to see playing time at the position.

McDowell was forced to shutdown after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late March. McDowell won’t be able to pitch until the spring, but coach Wayne Graham said the left-handed hitter “is already swinging the bat extremely well, probably as good as anybody we’ve got.” Graham is hopeful McDowell can be fully recovered by mid-season to give the Owls another starting pitching option.

Second base: Junior college transfer Christian Stringer will replace Michael Ratterree, who will make the move to the outfield.

Christian Stringer, who won a junior college national title at Navarro, will take over the starting job at second base. (Corsicana Daily Sun)

Stringer may not be available for the start of fall ball as he continues to deal with nagging hamstring problems.

If Stringer is out, the Owls plan to use freshman Ford Stainback, who can play every infield spot, or Carter Burgess, a freshman from Memorial.

• • •

Third base: Life without All-American Anthony Rendon – at least on defense – began sooner than expected last season. With Rendon nursing a bum shoulder the entire season, Shane Hoelscher moved into the starting job as a true freshman.

Hoelscher hit .281 with three home runs, 13 doubles and 37 RBIs, which tied for second-most on the team. On defense, Hoelscher had a .962 fielding percentage over the final 38 games. With the experience of playing in 60 games last season – and an impressive showing in summer ball – Graham is optimistic Hoelscher will be even better in 2012.

• • •

Shortstop: Like Hoelscher, Derek Hamilton was thrown into the starting mix as a true freshman.

Derek Hamilton started 62 games at shortstop last season. (Chronicle)

Hamilton struggled at times with a team-leading 22 errors and hit only .248, the lowest average among regular starters. He began the season hitting .333 in the first 29 games but hit only .183 the rest of the season. Fourteen of his 30 RBIs came with two outs in the count.

He showed an ability to be steady at the plate with a season-best 12-game hitting streak. At a position where defense matters most, the Owls would consider offensive production a bonus from Hamilton, so long as he cuts down on the errors.

Manuel made 46 starts – as the primary catcher to Austin Kubitza and Matthew Reckling – and threw out 13 runners attempting to steal base. Manuel hit .309 with one home run and 35 RBIs. Perrott made 11 starts behind the plate and was particularly productive down the stretch, hitting .438 (7-of-16) during the final few weeks of the season.